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North Star Ballet

JUNIOR COMPANY CONTRACT

The purpose of the North Star Ballet Junior Company is to encourage students to prepare for Apprentice and Company membership. The Junior Company gives young student dancers the opportunity to be part of the performing organization without undertaking the rather extensive responsibility and time commitment required of Company members. The program is designed to accommodate the dance aspirations of this age group within the framework of their increasing responsibilities in the academic realm.

This contract is meant to help Junior Company members become familiar with the company regulations, and to help them understand what their commitment will require.

Being a member of the Company at any level requires a great deal of time and effort. It is helpful to know what your responsibilities are so that you can organize your time effectively.

CLASSES

Junior Company members are required to participate in at least two ballet technique classes each week along with the appropriate pointe or men’s classes. In addition, Junior Company members are required to take the Introduction to Pilates Class.  Class levels will be assigned by the Artistic Director to ensure the best progress for each individual student. Dancers must appear in traditional practice clothes (black leotard, pink tights, pink shoes for females; white tee-shirt, black or gray tights, white shoes for males) without additional cover-ups, with hair appropriately arranged and with jewelry removed. Dancers are encouraged to attend company warm-up classes, which may precede rehearsals or performances. Dancers are encouraged to take additional ballet classes and classes in modern and jazz whenever possible. Dancers who are considering a career in dance should definitely be taking more than the required classes each week.

CASTING

Casting is the responsibility of the Artistic Director, who must consider the specific needs of an entire production. Dancers are required to accept the roles for which they are cast, and are encouraged to think in terms of dancing as a part of a complete production rather than dancing an isolated piece of the production, which may or may not fit what they had in mind for themselves. Any problem with casting should be discussed with the Artistic Director without delay.

Every member of the Junior Company will be cast in a performing role in every production, but not necessarily in every ballet. Casting as an understudy should be considered as an opportunity to dance a role, not as an unnecessary or unimportant task. Understudies are essential in every production, and more frequently are required to dance a role than not. Casting as an understudy does not mean that a dancer will dance a certain role in a subsequent season.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals will be posted on the company callboard at least 24 hours in advance of the rehearsal period. Rehearsals may not exceed five hours per week for any one dancer.

During the 2009-2010 season rehearsals may be held as follows:

Friday  7:15 -9:00 pm
Saturday 1:30-6:30 pm

Rehearsals may be called on Sunday when no other time can be arranged. Rehearsals may be called at other times when dancers are free.

Dancers must attend all rehearsals for ballets in which they have been cast or cast as understudies. Casting will be posted at least 24 hours before any rehearsal. Dancers must attend all technical and dress rehearsals for ballets in which they have been cast or cast as understudies. Technical and dress rehearsals may not exceed four hours duration for any one dancer. Any dancer who may be unable to attend a rehearsal for any reason should notify the Artistic Director at the earliest possible date.

PHOTO CALLS, FITTING AND DRESS PARADES

Dancers must attend all photo calls, fittings and dress parades required for the roles for which they have been cast. Female dancers should be prepared to appear in a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Male dancers should be prepared to appear in a white tee shirt, black tights, white ankle length socks and white shoes.

COMPANY FUNCTIONS

Dancers may from time to time be asked to appear as a group in special workshop classes, lecture demonstrations or at publicity functions. The Annual Class Demonstration at the end of the academic year is considered a company function and all Junior Company members will be required to participate. At such functions dancers should be prepared to appear in the dress outlined above and should conduct themselves as representatives of the Company at all times.

COSTUMES AND MAKEUP

Dancers must provide their own rehearsal and performance tights and shoes except when special tights and shoes are required as part of a costume. All costumes will be provided by the Company and must be handled with care by the dancers. Makeup is the responsibility of each individual dancer except when special makeup is required. The company will provide special makeup. Smoking, drinking, eating, chewing gum or sitting is not permitted while in costume. No dancer will leave the backstage area while in costume or stage makeup. The Costumer, Wardrobe Manager and their assistants must be treated with the utmost respect all at times. The Wardrobe Manager may levy fines for the infringement of rules established for the management of costumes or for uncooperative behavior. Dancers must always leave the dressing rooms clean and neat.

STAGE SAFETY

The Stage Manager is responsible for the smooth running of an entire production and for safety on stage. Because the stage is complex and requires the cooperation of a large number of people in varying capacities, the Stage Manager must be given full attention at all times. Like a sergeant in an army he or she must be obeyed instantly for the show to run properly and safely. Courtesy, common sense and respect for the theater are the best guides for your own safety on stage. The Stage Manager is responsible for making sure everyone is at the theater for rehearsals and performances. A sign-in sheet will be posted and dancers must sign in upon arrival. The Stage Manager is the person to contact if you are unavoidably late for a theater call or if you sustain an injury or are sick while at the theater. Dancers are expected to show the utmost respect for all stage personnel at all times.

RULES OF CONDUCT

Dancers, while involved in company functions, must conduct themselves as representatives of the North Star Ballet and in a manner that reflects the highest standards inherent of ballet training. The use of drugs or alcohol by any dancer while involved in company activities will result in immediate dismissal from the company. When traveling with the company, dancers will be expected to observe special rules and regulations that may be established for their safety and protection.

ACADEMIC STANDING

Dancers who are students in an academic school must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0. Failure to maintain a 2.0 average will result in probation until the end of the next grading period. Failure to maintain a 2.0 average during the period of probation will result in dismissal from the company until a 2.0 average can be maintained.

TERM OF CONTRACT AND EARLY TERMINATION

This contact extends the entire period of the North Star Ballet 2009-2010 season, from August 31, 2009 through May 23, 2010. Any dancer wishing to terminate the contact during the season must give at least four weeks notice to the Artistic Director and must agree to teach his or her roles to another dancer or dancers to be specified by the Artistic Director. The Artistic Director may terminate the contract at any time a dancer fails to meet the terms of the contract or fails to meet the technical standards of the company.

PERFORMANCE FEES

Each Junior Company member will be required to pay a performance fee of Fifty Dollars ($50) upon signing this contract. The fee is non-refundable and is assessed to help defray the costs of costume maintenance. No other fees will be required of the dancer during the season.

Having read and understood the terms and conditions of this contract, the undersigned do hereby agree to abide by these terms and conditions:

DANCER’S SIGNATURE_________________________________DATE____________

PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN_________________________DATE____________

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR___________________________________DATE____________